Operations manager: Nicole McDougall
Advertising: Greg Latta, Hineata Cash and
Stephanie Stonehouse
Inquiries: advertising@westernstarnews.com
Publisher’s Indemnity: Maranoa Style
Magazine is published by Newscorp Australia.
Those who make advertising placement
and/or supply copy material or editorial
submissions to style magazine, undertake to
ensure that all such material does not infringe
on copyright, trademark, defamation, libel,
slander or title breach of confidence, does
not contain anything obscene or indecent, or
does not infringe the trade practices act or
other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to
the above-mentioned, these persons agree to
indemnity the publisher and/or its agents
against and investigations, claim or
judgements.

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H O M E & L I V I N G

3

TOP OF
THE PILE

Don’t back yourself into a corner, when it
comes to carpet, get professional advice

A

savvy home renovator knows when to spend and when to
save. In the case of carpet installation, we believe it’s best
to call in the pros. The following are some of the reasons why we
think investing in an professionally-installed carpet is worthwhile.

Time

A novice may struggle to achieve the same high quality
installation without the knowledge that lets professionals
anticipate problem areas and how to work around them. Any little
errors will definitely pile onto the hours you spend on this task.

Cost

Estimating the right amount of carpet is a challenge in itself, not
to mention getting it out here. Professionals will identify traffic
patterns and light direction which affect carpet’s appearance. If an
installer makes an error, any extra carpet and labour needed will
be absorbed into the cost of the installation. If you make an error,
you foot the bill for the cost of any additional carpet.

Equipment

The correct tools to install floor coverings are available for hire,

ANDERSENS’ INSTALLERS ON THE JOB.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

but without training in using this equipment, you could be
unknowingly using them incorrectly, resulting in a
poorly-installed carpet.

Warranty

Manufacturers’ warranties usually only cover faults caused during
the manufacturing process. If you install carpet yourself, you
could be left out of luck and out of pocket if any issues arise.
Andersens, on the other hand, offer a Life of your Carpet
Installation Guarantee*. This guarantees the workmanship and
installation materials for the lifetime of your carpet, so you can
have the peace of mind of knowing your carpet will last.
If you would like to organise for Andersens Roma to install carpet
in your home, give us a call on 1300 306 810, or visit us at 113
Mcdowall St - near the traffic lights.
*Terms and conditions apply. See in-store for details.

AN OASIS OUTSIDE OF
PICKANJINNIE
The Barn offers a creative rural space for events
JORJA MCDONNELL

S

EVENTEEN kilometres past the red and yellow turtle who
sits by the Warrego Highway is a surprising and
ever-evolving event space which prides itself on its ability to host
any possible celebration.
A converted American-style barn on a 12,000-hectare cattle
property, The Barn at Mt Hope combines country and glamour to
put together a versatile and aesthetically pleasing event space for
all occasions.
The Price family has hosted weddings, concerts, conferences
and even art workshops at their quirky and stylish barn, proving
they can cater for all – and they do – with their stunning spaces
and commercial kitchen.
Owner and manager Rhee Price described their style as
“outback vintage” with plenty of corrugated iron, recycled timber
and fairy lights (ticking all the boxes for stunning Instagram
shots).
“The jewel in our crown is the windmill fan, suspended from
the ceiling and covered with lights; a chandelier actually hangs
from that, it’s a bit quirky but we love it,” she said.
“Here at The Barn we specialise in events, hiring out to the
community.
While the venue itself is still new on the scene, it is in no way
indicative of Ms Price’s experience in events.
“We’ve only been open for about 12 months and have been
functioning properly for about the last four, hosting weddings,
birthday parties, art workshops, corporate functions and charity
events,” she said.
“But over the past eight years, well before we were running as
a full events space, we hosted an annual family fun day to raise
money for different cancer associations and people in the district
and have raised over $100,000 through those.
“Before we had the barn, we used to host weddings for family
and friends, and before this I was also on the local council for 12
years with a tourism portfolio.
“I got to see a lot of what we had in our region and what other
regions were doing, and that is what prompted me to start this.
“(The Barn) is something that was in my head for a long time
because I wanted something that my family could get involved
with, doing it on our property.
“I had in the back of my mind what I was going to do, but for a
long time I was too busy to do it.”
With this new project, the Price family is certainly kept busy,
and with Christmas just around the corner they have been flooded
with bookings for end-of-year celebrations.
“We are booked out on every Saturday night right up until
Christmas; considering we haven’t really advertised and have
relied on word of mouth, it’s really good,” Ms Price said.
Garnering this kind of business through word of mouth and
social media is a testament to The Barn’s excellence in events,
and Ms Price has confirmed her family and team had no intention
of being complacent.

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December 2018

“Right now we are also testing the waters on new additions to
The Barn – getting a liquor licence and looking in to
accommodation, which will hopefully take off soon,” she said.
“I also want to branch out in to corporate functions, because
it’s an area we haven’t really touched on yet.
“It would be great to give teams a space to get away from their
offices and brainstorm or do whatever corporate people do.”
In Ms Price’s eyes, every event is as unique as the client who
comes to her, which is why the business is always flexible in its
planning.
“The main thing is that we can provide the venue and the
catering and have options there for anyone who wants to hold an
event,” she said.
“We can be as involved or as hands-off as the client likes, can
provide country-style catering and are also in the process of
becoming a licensed venue.
“Alternatively, clients are welcome to bring in their own
caterers who can make use of our fully equipped (licensed)
kitchen.
“We really don’t mind either way.
“I always wanted to have the options there, right from the
beginning, whether it’s the shipping container stage for bands, the
dancefloor under lights, the campfire area where we have cooked
camp-oven dinners, and our latest addition is the brand-new pizza
oven from CT Fire and Ironwork in Roma.”
With 12,000 hectares, and a can-do attitude when it comes to
client needs, Ms Price and the whole team are at the forefront of
glamorous events in the most unassuming of locations.
Looking ahead, she said the only certainties at The Barn were
innovation, additions, and incredible events.
“We’ve got lots of options, and into the future we plan on being
taken wherever people want to take us,” she said.

The Barn.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

www.westernstarnews.com.au

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

SLAP ON SUNSCREEN: Your daily routine should include application of sunscreen.

5

PHOTO: UTKAMANDARINKA

SUMMER SKIN CARE
Slip, slop, slap is still the best advice to beat skin cancer

V

ARIOUS factors affect whether a person can get skin
cancer but the old adage of slip, slop, slap applies to
everyone.
Two in three Australians develop skin cancer by age 70. It
starts with the sun damaging the DNA in the skin cells and that
damage accumulating over time, even if we don’t get sunburnt.
We only need 10-15 minutes of early morning sunshine on our
skin each day to produce our daily vitamin D needs.
“The rest of your day you should be focusing on your sun
protection,” University of Queensland Diamantina Instituten
dermatologist, Associate Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani said.
The recent Australian Sunscreen Summit found the daily
application of sunscreen, whether it was 30 or 50 plus, was the
most effective protection.
Prof Khosrotehrani said if you weren’t sure what type to use,
try samples at your pharmacy. But avoid spray-on sunscreens as
you really don’t know how much gets on your skin.
Anyone who has fair skin, sun spots or has already had skin

cancer should make it their daily routine to apply sunscreen on
the two places most likely to be exposed to significant UV index
– their face including forehead and ears, and the back of their
hands. Cover up by wearing UV resistant clothing.
Monitoring the condition of your skin is also important.
Look out for an inflamed pimple or a wounded area that hasn’t
healed for a couple of weeks.
“A lot skin cancers manifest like that,” Prof Khosrotehrani said.
With moles and brown lesions, if you have a new lesion or one
that is changing rapidly. Everyone should have a full skin check at
least once.
The GP can then advise how often you should get rechecked
after that.
You can also use the online tool qskin.qimrberghofer.edu.au to
predict the risk of you developing non-melanoma skin cancers
within three years.
If you have had skin cancer, Prof Khosrotehrani recommended
you should get a full skin check every 6-12 month.

Think you>re safe from Skin Cancer? Think again.

DON>T RISK IT!

Have a skin check with
Dr Eddie Roos or Dr Albert Vermeulen
Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with
skin cancer by the time they are 70
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BOOK NOW

4638 2700
(no referral needed)
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6

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

PHOTO: SKYNESHER

TACKLE 2019 HEAD ON
Put your new year’s fitness resolutions into action

T

HE start of a new year is a time when we are all full of hope.
Generally, thanks to that hopefulness, at the top of the list
tends to be “get fit this year”.
However, achieving this is easier said than done. Going about
your fitness goal correctly will help ensure you do not fall off the
bandwagon a couple of weeks in. Taking the first step is often the
hardest, so making an action plan will give you direction. Write
your measurements and heath goals and make them specific,
measurable, achievable, results-focused and time bound. Make
your resolutions manageable and break them up with smaller
goals. For example, if you are new to running, don’t pick
finishing a marathon in 2019 as your first goal. Start with a
learn-to-run program and start to build your running challenges as
you achieve each goal — that way you feel motivated by your
results. Reward yourself as you accomplish your goals by buying
a new workout outfit or getting a massage, but pre-set the reward

so you have something to work for.
The more people on your team the better your chances are to
succeed, so join fitness group, use a personal trainer, or find a
training buddy. Boredom is one of the biggest reasons for
resolution failure, so whenever you find yourself losing
momentum, change it up and try something new to keep
motivated and challenged.
Work out how often you can train and for how long and put it
in your diary; that way you are making it an appointment that can
not be broken. Above all, don’t be afraid to alter and re-evaluate
your goals over the next 12 months. If you thought you wanted to
get fit by running and you find that you hate pounding the
pavement, don’t give up on getting fit — try something new.
“Boredom is one of the biggest reasons for resolution failure,
so whenever you find yourself losing momentum, change it up
and try something new to keep motivated and challenged."

Horse Torque Saddlery
BEST LITTLE

HORSE HOUSE

www.horsetorquesaddlery.com.au |
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December 2018

PH 07 46228 008

6853529aa

IN THE WEST!

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

7

EXPERIENCE COUNTS
It pays to take action earlier rather than
later when it comes to infertility

T

IME is of the essence when it comes to fertility problems,
and Toowoomba patients are in safe hands under the
expert care of Dr John Esler and his experienced team at the
Queensland Fertility Group Toowoomba Clinic.
With more than 20 years’ experience in fertility services, Dr
Esler offers cutting edge techniques, procedures and treatments
that are considered by leading international fertility experts as
giving patients the best and safest chance of achieving a
pregnancy.
Dr Esler understands that infertility problems are highly
distressing and he recommends that patients should seek
treatment early and from an experienced fertility specialist.
“Infertility is defined as the inability to fall pregnant after 12
months of unprotected sexual intercourse, and for those over the
age of 35 years, it is defined as inability to conceive afters six
months of unprotected sexual intercourse,” he said. “Fertility
problems are not confined to the female - male infertility can be a
contributing factor which needs to be appropriately investigated.

“I see so many patients who waited too long or spent
unnecessarily on procedures that were never going to help their
situation, so it is very important for couples to seek treatment
from an experienced fertility specialist as early as possible.”
Dr Esler and his experienced team try to make the fertility
journey easier for patients. They offer a complete range of
fertility investigations and treatments based on cutting-edge
science and best practice techniques that are clinically and
scientifically proven to produce high pregnancy rates with
minimal risk to the patient. Patient needs are always a priority at
QFG Toowoomba and the fertility services offered range from
low-cost inseminations to full IVF services.
All are personalised to the needs of the patient and patient
preferences for specific treatment modalities are accommodated.
There are no delays in accessing treatment.
The QFG Toowoomba Clinic provides a relaxed and friendly
environment, with diagnostic and procedural facilities
conveniently located in-house. Dr Esler is one of Queensland’s
most experienced gynaecology medical, surgical and fertility
specialists. He established the QFG Toowoomba Clinic in 1996,
and he and his team have helped produce more than 1200 babies
for happy parents.

Consider using lighter alternatives to foundation during warmer months.

PHOTO: KIUIKSON

YOUR SUMMER LOOK
Use the right foundation to feel fresh and natural

W

ITH summer arriving, it’s possible you may need a few
adjustments to your make-up routine. With this in mind,
Downs Style will run through a few options for you during the
hotter months of the year.
TINTED MOISTURISER: If you don’t want heavy coverage
but rather a summery, natural look, tinted moisturiser is a good
option. It will provide you with some colour. Tinted moisturiser is
designed for women who aren’t interested in foundation and want
to keep their look natural. It can also complement a foundation.
When choosing your foundation, you are going to come up with
two choices – liquid and powder. Liquid foundation is often a
good choice because it can give more of a natural appearance and
provide moisture for those with dry skin. Powder can be good for
those with oily skin, as it will absorb oil from the face and reduce
shine. Powder is often lighter than its liquid counterpart –
something to keep in mind if you don’t want heavy make-up.
When you’ve applied your liquid foundation, an alternative to
reduce shine is finishing powder – which will help set make-up.
FOUNDATION: With a larger range of skin tones available,
there are times when the best option is to go with a foundation.

Before applying the foundation, it is important to apply a primer
– even more in summer months.
PRIMER: Primer is a base to use before applying foundation. It
will keep make-up in the right place, which can be a problem,
particularly in hotter weather. Primer is often a gel and gives a
nice surface to apply foundation and keeps make-up where it
should be. When thinking about what primer to use, it is
important to keep lighter alternatives in the back of your mind.
Tinted moisturiser, BB cream and CC cream.
BB CREAM: If you want to step beyond a tinted moisturiser,
BB cream is a good option. This will give more coverage than the
moisturiser but is not as thick as a foundation. BB cream will
offer plenty of skin care benefits including SPF and anti-oxidants.
Compared to foundation, these will have fewer options for tone.
CC CREAM: CC cream is similar to the BB creams, but can
help with such issues as dry skin and redness. CC stands for
colour corrective, so this is what these products were designed
for. CC cream will also usually have SPF. Any of these products
can be used as a base for foundation. It means you may be able to
apply less foundation while using them.

Washing, Drying & Ironing
service

Laurel Dorrough
38 Bowen Street, Roma Qld 4455
Mobile: 0400 380 242
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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

9

TREAT
YOUR FEET
Summer is well and truly here, so it is
time to show off your tootsies

Y

OU may have the main areas covered but what about the
little things?
Our feet are often forgotten in the bikini-body rush.
If you are tempted to keep those shoes on because of winter
neglect, a do-it-yourself pedicure is the cheapest and easiest way
to get those feet summer ready.

What to do

1. Pre-clean.
Remove any nail polish.
2. Soak those feet.
This softens dead skin cells ahead of exfoliation.
Add a teaspoon of tea tree oil (to kill bacteria), half a cup of
Epsom salts (to rejuvenate your feet) and three drops of
peppermint or rosemary oil (to freshen your feet).
3. Get rid of the rough.
You will need an exfoliant with medium-sized grains, such as salt
crystals or sugar – the latter is less irritating.
Start at your heels and work up to your toes, ankles and calves
with small circular motions. Spend a minute or two on each foot
before rinsing with warm water.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

4. Be smooth.
Get rid of calluses with a body wash-coated pumice stone.
Be gentle. Lightly scrape the bottom of your feet and toes.
5. Trim down.
Cut your toenails in a straight line with a clipper and smooth the
edges with a nail file.
6. Massage.
Use a moisturiser designed specifically for feet.
Cover your feet, ankles and calves.
Use your knuckles to give your feet a mini massage while you are
at it.
7. Get your colour on.
Prepare your nails with an acetone-free (acetone will damage
your nails) nail polish to remove any residual moisturiser.
8. Insert foam toe separators before applying the base coat.
9. Add two layers of coloured polish to make your shine last and
prevent chipping.

Queensland’s largest team of specialist family lawyers.
Voted a leading Family & Divorce Law Firm for the third consecutive
year for the Toowoomba, Darling Downs and Western Queensland
region by independent Doyle’s Guide.

WHAT I’VE DELIVERED FOR MARANOA IN 2018
$7 MILLION FOR SAFER ROADS AND
MORE EFFICIENT ROUTES

$20,000 FOR ROMA AERO CLUB
Roma Aero Club president Seb
Pollock and Maranoa MP David
Littleproud ready for take-off.
Roma Aero Club received $20,000
to improve their facilities for
emergency transfers and to expand
the building by constructing an
entertainment area thanks
to the previous round of Stronger
Communities funding.

$2.4 MILLION THROUGH NATURAL
DISASTER RESILIENCE PROGRAMME
THIS FUNDING has given our bush
communities the opportunity to go
above and beyond the usual repair
and restoration of roads and public
infrastructure to improve preparedness.
The Maranoa Regional Council received
$150,000 for the assessment of natural
hazard risks to all critical infrastructure in
the Maranoa Local Disaster Management
Group region and development of ﬂood
mapping tools.

$8,498 FOR MEN’S SHED FUNDING
RESEARCH suggests many from
the bush, especially men, don’t feel
comfortable using structured health and
support services, so Men’s Shed helps
them connect with local services to
improve mental and general health as
well as being involved in the community.
The Roma Community Men’s Shed
used it’s grant to install a Zippy boiler
and dishwasher to enhance the meeting
space and also have an 80sqm concrete
slab laid around the shed to address
safety and access, particularly for those
with disabilities.

$53,588 BOOST THROUGH
BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND –
COMMUNITY STREAM

Above: National Disability Coordination
Officer Debbie Rooskov helps me to try out
the ‘virtual experience’ – created by STEPS
Group Australia – which received $53,588
in Federal Government funding for Blackall,
Charleville, Cunnamulla, Longreach, St
George, Roma and Winton.

$3.6 MILLION FOR MAINTAINING
AND UPGRADING LOCAL ROADS IN
2014-19
AFTER a day at work or travelling back
from a family holiday – upgrading our
road network means we can return
home safely and improve our region’s
connectivity.
That’s why the Coalition Federal
Government has invested $3.6 million
in the Maranoa Regional Council region
under the Roads to Recovery Programme
to maintain and upgrade local roads.

$17.4 MILLION IN FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR
COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN 2018-19

RESIDENTS of Roma will be able to take
a virtual tour of a University Campus
and explore career and education
opportunities, thanks to $53,588 from
the Coalition Government.

MARANOA Regional Council was
able to start work on crucial new
community projects following a payment
of $2,170,011 through the Financial
Assistance Grants Programme in August
this year.

WARREGO HIGHWAY UPGRADE
PROGRAMME (WHUP) EXTENDED

$3.9 MILLION FOR ROMA SALEYARD
MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITY

THE WHUP comprises 18 projects being
delivered between Toowoomba and west
of Miles. The $635 million investment
is jointly funded by the Australian and
Queensland governments, with the
Coalition Government contributing
$508 million and the Queensland
Government contributing $127 million.

THIS successful Building Better
Regions Fund (BBRF) project completed
construction this year. The Roma Saleyard
Multi-Purpose Facility includes the ﬁt-out
of an interactive centre to showcase the
livestock industry in the region.

PARTY TRICKS
With cold drinks and plenty of snags on the barbie, Christmas entertaining is a breeze

C

HRISTMAS can also have its fair share of problems if you
don’t plan carefully. Christmas is indeed the season of
celebrating, and you may attend work or personal parties. You
may even host one yourself. Keeping this in mind, Downs Style
has compiled a comprehensive list of tips and tricks to keep your
party in full swing during summer.

Planning

One of the most important aspects to keep in mind during the
planning phase is the guest list. Factor in the amount of space
available for the event, and the make-up of the people at the party.
Make sure you cater towards numbers you are able to fit in the
space. No one likes reaching into an empty bowl of potato chips
either, so cater for the party you can also afford. Keep track of
those RSVPs too so you know how many you can cater for –
otherwise you could be eating spring rolls for the next fortnight
just to get rid of them.

Music

Ditch the CDs and even your digital song collection – streaming
music is now the best way to get a party pumping. Programs like
Spotify or Rdio are designed to create the best music experience
for your guests. Station a phone or tablet with the speakers on a
separate table (well away from food and drink) and allow guests
to choose the next song to play. These programs can also help you
create easy to use playlists. A good mix of genres is sure to keep
everyone at the party entertained.

Food

If you are going to cater a larger backyard party yourself, stick to

finger food appetisers which can be prepared quickly early in the
proceedings. Look for recipes which can be prepared in advance.
When guests find their stomachs rumbling for something more
substantial, it can be hard to look past the barbecue. While
throwing a few steaks on can be a foolproof way to feed heaps of
guests, there is another option for your meat-eating guests –
pulled pork. The beauty of pulled pork or other slow cooked
meats is it will drastically limit your cooking time during the
party. Drop a large (and we mean seriously large) bit of pork
shoulder/collar into your slow cooker about 10 hours before your
first guests arrive. Throw in two cups of chicken stock, ½ a cup of
apple cider vinegar, 3 tbsp brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt,
cumin, chopped onion and garlic and pop the lid on. Shred it and
add your favourite barbecue sauce. Combine with fresh
hamburger buns and an unbeatable apple and cabbage slaw, and
you have a sure-fire hit dinner for party guests.

Drinks

Are you providing alcohol for your guests, do they have to bring
their own, or is it a mixture of the two? If you are providing,
make sure there is an equal share of beer and wine to cater for all
tastes. For those inclined to take on spirits, a fruit-based punch is
a good way to provide it responsibly.
If there is plenty of edible food and refreshing beverages, your
guests are sure to have a great time. No one will want to stand up
for the entire party, so make sure you provide seating for guests.
If you follow these tips, your outdoor party this summer will be a
sure-fire hit.

ExplorE what thE
wEst has to offEr:

Open 8:00am - 6:00pm
Download Lunch and All Day Menu
by going to www.greatartesianspa.com.au
12

MINT JULEP
This one is beautiful on a hot
afternoon.
YOU WILL NEED:
■ Mint
■ Bourbon
■ Crushed ice
■ Sugar
■ Soda water
■ A short glass
METHOD
Pour soda water into your glass. Stir in
two teaspoons of fine sugar. Press
fresh mint leaves against the inside of
the glass and add at least a shot of
bourbon. Gently stir some crushed ice
through the drink and garnish with

13

December 2018

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13

DENTURES
WITH
Our Clinic’s are committed to
Providing Quality Care & Service
for your denture needs.

FASHIONS
TAKE THE
FIELD AT
ROMA CUP
ALMOST 7000 punters filled the track-side spaces at Bassett
Park in anticipation of the Royal on 99 Roma Cup on Saturday,
November 17.
As always, only the finest fashions were present on the field to
celebrate the event.
Despite the intense heat, multitudes of suits, dresses, hats,
fascinators and shoes created a sea of colour to light up the yearly
race.
Ladies and gentlemen dolled up and dressed up to the nines,
putting their best foot forward with different, classic and daring
spring styles.
The day drew competitors and spectators alike from all around
the state, making for an action packed and enjoyable outing for
all.

HOMEMADE
It’s time to don the apron and hop into some delicious Christmas baking

T

HE hinterland is renowned for fresh seasonal produce, and
with the festive season almost upon us, many people are
donning their aprons and getting ready for Christmas with
delicious homemade creations. Think pavlova with sticky
passionfruit, fresh cherries, sweet strawberries and segments of
mango. Or perhaps a plum pudding is more your style, with some
delicious brandy custard. One delicacy you cannot go past is
scrumptious gingerbread. Whether you like this biscuity treat as a
gingerbread man or you take things up a notch and create a
gingerbread house, this recipe is as fun to make as the finished
product is to eat.
INGREDIENTS
■ 150g unsalted butter, cubed
■ 125ml golden syrup
■ 1 tsp bicarb soda
■ 450g plain flour
■ 1 tbsp ground ginger
■ 1 tsp ground cinnamon
■ ½ tsp nutmeg
■ ½ tsp ground cloves
■ ½ tsp baking powder

■ 1 egg, whisked
Ready-made icing and sprinkles to decorate.
METHOD
Grease and flour two large baking trays. Preheat your oven to
180 degrees Celsius. In a medium saucepan, melt butter, golden
syrup and sugar over a medium heat. Stir for three minutes or
until sugar has dissolved. Bring the mixture to the boil and then
remove from heat. Add the bicarb soda and stir to combine.
Transfer this mixture to a large heatproof bowl and set aside to
cool. Sift the plain flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and
baking powder into the cooled butter mixture. Add in the whisked
egg and stir until mixture is smooth. Lightly flour your bench top
and turn the gingerbread mixture onto the floured surface. Knead
the mixture to ensure it is smooth (don’t overdo it – otherwise
your biscuits will be too hard when cooked). Sit the kneaded
dough in a clean bowl and cover with cling wrap. Put in the fridge
until dough is firm to touch. Roll out the dough to a thickness of
5mm between two pieces of baking paper. Using a pastry cutter,
cut out your biscuits. Place the cut biscuits on the floured trays,
3cm apart. Bake for eight minutes or until firm to touch. Cool for
at least five minutes before decorating with icing and sprinkles.

Murweh Shire Council
Merry Christmas from..

95-101 Alfred Street, CHARLEVILLE Q 4470
www.murweh.qld.gov.au

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Ph:07 4656 8355

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H O M E & L I V I N G

19

HARMONY
AT HOME

Start the New Year right by de-cluttering
your house and make it into a sanctuary

A

S life just keeps getting busier, adding a bit of harmony to
the space you inhabit can have multiple benefits.
The ancient Chinese art of feng shui, literally translated as
wind-water in English, is centred on harmonising an individual’s
existence with the environment they inhabit.
The first step is to de-clutter your space.
Those maybe-one-day items you have been hoarding for years
should be the first to go.
They are simply taking up space and adding dead energy to
your rooms.
Feng shui is all about light and air flow, so take a look at the
curtains and furniture placement around your home and see
whether it maximises the home’s natural light.
Add in an air purifying plant and consider how you can
incorporate the five feng shui elements into your home.

PHOTO: COURTNEYK

One easy way is through their corresponding colours; wood:
green and brown; fire: red, strong yellow, orange, pink or purple;
earth: light yellow, sandy or earthy hues or light brown; metal:
white or grey and water: blue or black.
Different zones of the house also correspond to specific areas
of your life, known as the Bagua energy map.
Define where each of these zones is in your home and tailor
your house accordingly.
The areas are wealth; fame and aspiration; relationship; family
ancestors; health; creativity and children; study, knowledge and
meditation; career and life path; helpful friends and travel guides.
When mapping these zones in your home decide whether to use
the (western) front door method or the (traditional) compass
method and consult a website such as easy-feng-shui.com to
understand the concept behind the use of Bagua.

FLYING SOLO
5 tips for handling Christmas period as a
newly separated parent

S

o whilst many families are making lists (and checking them
twice), cementing Christmas party plans, and finding that
elusive perfect outfit, separated parents also have the worry of
“what are we doing with the kids?”. When the holidays hit, it is
easy for a newly separated parent to be caught up in seasonal
angst and new unchartered territory, so here are 5 tips in for
navigating your first Christmas solo.

3. Communicate with your children
Once an agreement has been reached, communicate this with
the children in order to show a united front and reduce any worry
they may have about splitting their time between parents on
Christmas. Make it a competition-free zone.
4. Make new traditions
Along with how events will be scheduled, discuss with your
children what the holidays will look like – what will be different
and what will stay the same. Brainstorm which traditions they
would like to keep and where the family can embrace new ones.
If Christmas Day isn’t going to be at your place, arrange a
Christmas Eve party or a Boxing Day adventure.
If your children are still in early years, decide where Santa’s
stop will be. Explain how Santa and his reindeers have time to
visit only one house. It’s usually best to choose their primary
home, or wherever they’ll be waking up on Christmas morning. If
it isn’t your place then either drop the presents off in advance or
contribute costs to the other parent.

1. Put the children first and compromise
Many parents immediately think that the fairest way to manage
Christmas Day is to split it down the middle, i.e. changeover at
midday at a halfway point. However, when it comes to holiday
scheduling and how time is shared between households, don’t
focus on what’s fair between you and your ex-partner but what
works best for the children. What may feel fair for Mum and Dad,
may not be best for children.
Consider alternating the arrangements each year, where one
parent enjoys most of Christmas Day and the other parent then
Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve. Whilst it may be hard for the
parent who is solo on Christmas Day that particular year, why not
use the opportunity to create a second Christmas Day celebration
on another day. You don’t want to spend the day rushing from one
event to another, or subjecting your kids children to potentially
hostile changeovers.

5. Schedule in your own plans
It’s your Christmas too. If you will not get the chance to see
your children on Christmas Day, schedule in arrangements with
your own family and friends. If anyone close to you is in the same
situation, why not organise to see them.
So grab your egg nog, toast your ex, and wish them well. No
matter where your children spend Christmas Day – make sure
they know you’re happy and your celebrations with them will be
next holiday. Then they can have the Christmas they deserve.

2. Cement your plans early
Don’t wait until the week before Christmas to raise
arrangements with your ex-partner. Have discussions as far in
advance as possible so that both parents and children know what
lies ahead. Do not add further stress by trying to sort it out last
minute as this will likely heighten tensions. Hopefully some
sensible discussions may lead to an agreement being reached
about this day. However if this is unsuccessful then you may even
need to engage a mediation service or obtain legal advice to assist
in helping you sort it out.

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No Christmas setting is complete without a gorgeous ham as the main
attraction. Get the perfect glaze on your all-important Christmas ham with this
delicious recipe. As they say: “get some pork on your fork”.
WHAT’S Christmas without a juicy and flavoursome Australian
ham on the table.
GLAZING YOUR HAM: Prepare your favourite glaze recipe.
Visit www.pork.com.au for some ideas.
Remove rind and use a sharp knife to score ham in a diamond
pattern, then place ham scored side up in a large baking pan and
brush over glaze.
Put in a pre-heated oven or hooded BBQ at 180°C for 20
minutes per kg, basting occasionally, until ham is brown and
warmed through.
Cutting a whole cold leg ham:
1. Place ham skin side up, then run a small, sharp knife under
the rind around the bottom (opposite end to hock) and each side
of the ham to about halfway up. Peel the rind back.
2. Run the tip of the knife around the bone on the underside of
the ham. Begin to slice on a slight angle down to the bone.
3. Run your knife lengthways along the bone to remove slices.

Continue to slice towards the hock. 4. Continue slicing down to
the bone, working your way around the ham. When you’ve
reached about a third of the way up, you can remove the bone by
making a few short cuts at the joint.
STORING YOUR HAM: To keep your ham fresh, fold rind
back over exposed surface.
Prepare a ham bag, cotton pillowcase or tea towel by soaking it
in 4 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar and then wringing
it out.
Place the ham in the bag or pillowcase or cover it with the tea
towel and store in coolest part of fridge.
Re-soak the cloth in solution every few days or when it dries
out.

ABOVE: Delicious glazed ham with cloves.
PHOTO: GMVOZD

Weddings – Birthdays – Clubs – Hotels – Festivals And Much More!!

johnmacfarlane@bigpond.com
0427 125 829
6904462af

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December 2018

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December 2018

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December 2018

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H O RO S C OP E S

SUMMER STARS
Scorpio Oct 24th – Nov 22nd
In the lead up to the festive season the days are flying by
quicker than you realise, for the usual very organised Scorpio it
may put you into a bit of a head spin don’t panic. Circle a date in
the calendar then take to the shops with vigour remember that
there are special people in your life so go on spoil them.
Sagittarius Nov 23rd – Dec 21st
Christmas presents wrapped your colour scheme for this year’s
festive season is picked I see a month spent spreading tinsel and
joy even though it is November.
Rave reviews at work are leaving you feeling like the cat that
caught the canary big smiles and why not you have earnt this
through hard work, dedication and the occasional outburst of
crazy.
Capricorn Dec 22nd – Jan 20th
Summer will see you a little frazzled you might feel like
locking horns with someone either at work or in the family.
Tension could run high, but all will be smoothed over by early
December as usual Goats can be stubborn they can often find
themselves in tricky situations but do manage to find a solution to
all problems.
Aquarius Jan 21st – Feb 19th
Aquarians are ready to take on the world this month it could be
a new gym membership or kicking goals within the workforce. If
looking to change your career moving up in the world now is the
time. Listen to what the Universe is telling you all positive vibes
are around you at present.
Pisces Feb 20th – Mar 20th
If hanging around home all day has got you feeling a little
down, then take to the skies and find a dream destination.
Swimming in the same fish bowl can make any Piscean yawn
with boredom, travel is the only agenda so make sure your
passport is up to date might be time to revamp the photo then the
world is your oyster.
Aries Mar 21st – Apr 20th
Summer is a great time to get your body into shape we all
know how much your appearance is important so get back out
there and take to a new exercise routine. Not only will it give you
a great mental and physical workout you could just meet the soul
mate of your dreams.

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December 2018

Taurus Apr 21st – May 21st
Grab the bull by the horns Taurus it is time to plan your next
big adventure. If thinking about furthering your career a certain
amount of extra study will be beneficial. Investigate courses
offered at Universities or if looking to improve your cooking
skills maybe investigate enrolling in a cookery class.
Gemini May 22nd – June 22nd
Success is so near you can taste it people are noticing your
skills which is fantastic as you have worked long and hard to get
there. Receive their accolades with graciousness and a killer
smile. Whether it is the new role you are about to embark on or a
career promotion it is long overdue.
Cancer June 23rd – July 23rd
Think cute and cuddly this month as your new family member
is totally addicted to your presence. Cancer is the star sign of
family, love and party. One thing that Cancer has in their favour is
the ability to bounce back they are fiercely defiant and can give
the person in their sights a great nip if they need to. Don’t party
too hard as you may end up like the humble hermit crab hiding in
their shell to recover.
Leo July 24th – Aug 23rd
Pussycat where have you been? It is time to take some time out
to play with that ball of string or chase those coloured streamers.
Lions are known for their great sense of quirky humour that is
why you enjoy spending time with like-minded people. As the
festive season approaches Leos will enjoy spending time with
their family and friends.
Virgo Aug 24th – Sept 24th
Overseas beckons it is the new beginning chapter to your future
self. Whether you are on the journey solo or with someone special
it will be the greatest time of your life.
Fiercely dependent you will soon make yourself part of the
community they are better for your inclusion as you are so down
to earth you will feel like part of the family straight away.
Libra Sept 24th – Oct 23rd
So much has happened since Spring in a positive way, your
career is so hectic right now you may be finding it hard to balance
between home and work. It is easy really if work keeps you
inspired and happy that is fantastic. Home life is right behind
everything you do so you have the best of both worlds.